Queensland Farmer Today - November 2023 by Star News Group

November 2023

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Hosting Beef Mates

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A rare chance The Roma Feedlot and Spelling Yards offer buyers a rare chance to acquire a strategic part of the Queensland livestock supply chain. Situated 40 kilometres south-west of Roma, Ben Cameron holds the 2445.62-hectare aggregation across three freehold certificates of title. One of the first NFAS-accredited feedlots to hit the open market in recent years, it is expected to generate strong competition from existing operators and producers seeking further diversity and a drought mitigation strategy. JLL director - agribusiness Geoff Warriner is selling the Mount Abundance property. STORY PAGE 4

Fields of gold A sunflower festival in the Scenic Rim that attracts more than 12,000 people to its golden fields has a goal to raise $100,000 for vital cancer research and care at Mater. Kalbar Sunflower Festival organiser and farmer Jenny Jenner said April’s event, which will which feature more than a million sunflowers in full bloom, will recognise her husband Russell Jenner, who died in July after an 18-month battle with oesophageal cancer. STORY PAGE 12

TSBE chief out

Jimboomba siblings Edith Aitken, 7 (middle) with twins Charlotte and William, 5.

Picture: LAURA CALLAGHAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Greg Bowden has resigned as chief executive officer of the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) five months into the role. TSBE chairman John McVeigh announced the news via a statement in September. “Our CEO Greg Bowden has resigned as CEO of TSBE and has left the organisation,“ he said. “The TSBE Board and I want to take the opportunity to thank Greg for his time at TSBE and advise you of the steps we are taking to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.” STORY PAGE 7

Production dips By Fiona Gowers As drier conditions “hit home“ Queensland will this financial year experience the country’s biggest fall in total grain and oilseed production. Rabobank’s 2023/24 Australian winter crop

reduced plantings this season. “It does, however, remain above the fiveyear average.“ Nationally, winter crops are expected to produce 25pc less than in 2022/23. In all, Rabobank predicts a 48.72 million tonne national crop this year, which is down

24pc on last season’s record-breaking 63.85 million tonnes. The “more modest“ forecast follows three consecutive years of strong harvests and is just below the five-year average STORY PAGE 3

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forecast predicts production in the Sunshine State to top 2.15 million tonnes, 36 per cent less than last year. Wheat is expected to see the largest fall down 41 per cent year-on-year - says report co-author, RaboResearch associate analyst Edward McGeoch, compounded, he said, by

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PROPERTY NEWS .......................... page 4 Fast Facts Barcaldine sheep shearing and crutching operation Ross Shearing is one of 24 successful businesses to receive a Rural Economic Development (RED) grant. The central west Queensland enterprise will use the grant to build a state-of-the-art shearing and crutching trailer, which will create up to eight local jobs. Overall, the fifth round of the program has provided $3.9 million in funding and is expected to create up to 215 direct, long-term jobs.

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE ......pages 14-15 BREAKING GROUND .................... page 19

QCWA RECIPES .......................... page 24 MARKET ROUND-UP ..................... page 25

SPORT ....................................... page 28

DAM LEVELS Beardmore:.................................. 100.1% Bjelke-Petersen: ........................... 76.77% Borumba: ...................................... 83.5% Boondoomba: ................................... 40% Cedar Pocket: ................................ 36.4% Chinchilla Weir: ............................ 76.81% Coolmunda: ................................. 81.44% Cunnamulla (Alan Tannock Weir): ... 69.83% Leslie: ........................................... 97.1% Paradise: ........................................ 100% Somerset: ..................................... 76.7% Wivenhoe:......................................... 66%

Address: 154-156 Haly Street Kingaroy 4610 Telephone: 07 4182 0450 Website: QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au CONTACT US Editorial: Email: newsdesk@QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au Advertising: Email: advertising@QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au Classifieds: Phone: 07 4182 0450 or 1300 666 808 Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au ADVERTISING Annette Weatherstone Account Manager E: annette.weatherstone@QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au Michael Callaghan Media Sales E: michael.callaghan@BurnettToday.com.au P: 07 4182 0452 Samantha Wantling Sales & Marketing E: samantha.wantling@WarwickStanthorpetoday.com.au P: 0439 420 289 Cindy Unwin Sales & Marketing E: cindy.unwin@CQToday.com.au P: 0408 281 861 Jemma Wilson Sales & Marketing E: jemma.wilson@BurnettToday.com.au P: 07 4182 0458 Greg Latta Sales & Marketing E: greg.latta@MaranoaToday.com.au P: 0488 088 107 Donna Collier Sales & Marketing E: donna.collier@TodayNewsGroup.com.au Queensland Farmer Today is published monthly and part of the Today News Group. Published by South Burnett Today Pty Ltd ACN 641 796 349. Publisher: Damian Morgan Managing Director: Daniel Pelcl. All material is copyright to South Burnett Today Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. For our terms and conditions please visit QueenslanFarmerToday.com.au/terms-and-conditions/ 2 TODAY November 2023

Andrew Ross shears a sheep at the Oma woolshed in Isisford, QLD.

Picture: JAMES BRASZELL

Shearing, crutching on wheels By Fiona Gowers

A Barcaldine family operation is building an innovative crutching and shearing trailer that will service outback Queensland and create up to eight jobs. Ross Shearing’s new state-of-the-art trailer will include the latest workplace safety and animal welfare features, delivering sheep directly to shearers and eliminating the catchand-drag from the pen. The family operation will provide the mobile shearing and crutching services to wool growers throughout outback Queensland including Barcaldine, Longreach, Hughenden, Quilpie and Cunnamulla. The trailer will also be used to educate and train the next generation about wool shearing and crutching. The innovative trailer is expected to be upand-running by mid-next year and will create up to eight direct, full-time jobs. “We’re building the shearing and crutching trailer because there are a number of crutching trailers out there but not a lot with a dual purpose of both crutching and shearing,“ said Ross Shearing co-owner Simone Pix. “The trailer will be equipped with safety features that take out the catch-and-drag element that contribute to injuries, improving the safety for shearers, crutchers and livestock. “We will also use the trailer to give shearing and crutching demonstrations and training to local schools in the area with the aim to attract more young people in the sheep and wool industry.“ Ms Pix said the project would create a range of jobs including shearers, crutchers, wool handlers and a mobile cook once the trailer was operating. She said the Rural Economic Development grant had been a “significant help“ in launching the project. “It has allowed us to create a dual-purpose shearing and crutching trailer that will service a growing need in western Queensland, while creating new jobs and training opportunities in the sheep and wool industry.”

Ross Shearing is one of 24 businesses approved for the fifth round of the competitive RED grants program, with a total funding of $3.9 million. Grants are available for up to $200,000, with a 50 per cent cash contribution required from applicants to fund projects, which generate economic and employment opportunities related to primary production value chains across rural and remote Queensland. A sixth round of RED Grants, supporting Indigenous-owned agribusinesses and projects aimed at low-emissions agriculture, has been allocated for the 2023-24 financial year, with applications to open later this year. For more information about the RED Grant scheme visit qrida.qld.gov.au/program/ruraleconomic-development-grants

Queensland Farmer Today turns two this month! When Today News Group director Damian Morgan welcomed readers to our first edition in November 2021 he said the Queensland agricultural sector had never been more important to our state, nor more vibrant and innovative. “It is our privilege”, he said, “To launch this new publication to serve the proud, progressive and hard-working people of the Queensland farming community.” Our mission at Queensland Farmer Today has always been to help connect farmers by sharing their stories in traditional newsprint - and online - while giving the agricultural sector a louder voice. “A newspaper should hold the powerful to account while also providing a voice for the local communities we serve to advocate on important issues for our regions,” Mr Morgan said. “In this era where false news spreads faster on social media than the truth does, it has never been more important to have a trusted and regulated source of news. “We’re proud to be providing that service.” Queensland Farmer Today covers some of the richest and most prized farmland in Australia, from the Darling Downs, Southern and Western Downs, Maranoa region, central Queensland and the food bowl of the Burnett Region. It has indeed been a big privilege to share the stories of the progressive and hard-working people of the Queensland agricultural community, which forms a key foundation of the state and national economy. And, as Mr Morgan has said, “Like all farmers, we look forward to what we can grow from here”.

- Fiona Gowers

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Rabobank Australian Winter Crop Forecast 2023/24.

Picture: INFOGRAPHIC SUPPLIED

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RaboResearch associate analyst Ed McGeoch. Picture: SUPPLIED

Prices provide silver lining as dry forces...

Production to plummet By Fiona Gowers As drier conditions “hit home” Queensland will this financial year experience the country’s biggest fall in total grain and oilseed production. Rabobank’s 2023/24 Australian winter crop forecast predicts production in the Sunshine State to top 2.15 million tonnes, 36 per cent less than last year. Wheat is expected to see the largest fall down 41 per cent year-on-year - says report co-author, RaboResearch associate analyst Edward McGeoch, compounded, he said, by reduced plantings this season. “It does, however, remain above the fiveyear average.“ Nationally, winter crops are expected to produce 25pc less than in 2022/23. In all, Rabobank predicts a 48.72 million tonne national crop this year, which is down 24pc on last season’s record-breaking 63.85 million tonnes.

The “more modest“ forecast follows three consecutive years of strong harvests and is just below the five-year average. Mr McGeoch said prices were expected to provide a silver lining for farmers. Drier conditions nationally mean less supply and, therefore, higher local prices for wheat and barley. International demand, meanwhile, is boosting canola prices. “Production from Canada and the European Union are down, which is driving prices up globally,“ Mr McGeoch told AAP. Drier weather conditions across many cropping regions, he said, and the prevailing El Nino climate outlook are underpinning the tighter supply outlook. “Production expectations are varied across regions with some farmers expecting to see elevated production due to positive growing conditions. “While others will be facing tough decisions as to whether it will be worth harvesting

their crop.“ The forecast says all cereal and coarse grain production – including wheat, barley and oats – is expected to decrease this season, with wheat down to 26.9 million tonnes, 26pc less than last season. Barley and canola, meanwhile, look brighter. “Barley is expected to see the slightest decline of all grains and oilseeds this year (down 18pc on last year to 11.91 million tonnes),” Mr McGeoch said. “However, this is primarily due to an increased planted area for barley this season compared with 2022/23, while the remainder of the winter crop varieties saw reductions in planted area.” Canola production is forecast to fall 24pc on last year to 5.77 million tonnes. Australian farmers are expected to face a better year ahead when it comes to their farm input costs, the report says, with the exception of diesel.

Report co-author, RaboResearch agricultural analyst Vitor Pistoia says there are two “driving forces” behind the improved outlook for input costs. “These are lower global prices for many inputs due to a new balance of supply and demand, which is favouring supply,” he said. “Also, input prices in Australia tend to lag behind the rest of the world, with a long lead time before changes in global input prices are felt locally.“ Input Prices Based on market factors at the moment, urea is expected to remain near current levels. Phosphate to ease by 10 to 15pc in early 2024. For potash, stable prices are forecast. Agro-chemicals are likely to have lower prices and better affordability in 2024. Diesel prices, however, look to remain at elevated levels, due to capped petroleum production in many exporting nations, along with reduced global refinery capacity.

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A rare livestock offering By Fiona Gowers The Roma Feedlot and Spelling Yards offer buyers a rare chance to acquire a strategic part of the Queensland livestock supply chain. Situated 40 kilometres south-west of Roma, Ben Cameron holds the 2445.62-hectare aggregation across three freehold certificates of title. One of the first NFAS-accredited feedlots to hit the open market in recent years, it is expected to generate strong competition from existing operators and producers seeking further diversity and a drought mitigation strategy. JLL director – agribusiness Geoff Warriner is selling the Mount Abundance property. He said the feedlot and yards had multifaceted appeal. They are located only 16 kilometres off the main eastbound route for cattle travelling east and south and allow direct access by road trains from the west. Price expectation is between $25 and $30 million. “Following its development in 2017, the near-new facility is now embedded into the livestock supply chain flowing from the west through to the south east Queensland feedlots and processors,” Mr Warriner said. “With road-train access from the west, it offers a unique opportunity to northern and western pastoralists ... to maximise compensatory weight gain prior to sale. “Alternatively, it could be run as a viable stand alone business within the Queensland beef supply chain or as an introductory concern for a new operator.” The cattle business, which has existing beef supply contracts with Woolworths and is a supplier to all meat processors to the east, includes the 4000-head feedlot and 2000-head spelling yard, both with scope for expansion.

Roma Feedlot and Spelling Yards is a 2445.62-hectare aggregation located 40 kilometres south-west of Roma. The feedlot and spelling businesses operate on two contiguous holdings - Dunan and Oaklea (totalling 2445ha) - which offer quality infrastructure for a high standard of efficiency and productivity, as well as 1500 arable hectares and improved pastures. All crops grown on the properties are used in the feedlot, providing huge freight saving advantages. Mr Holgar said the location, 50km from the major livestock selling centre of Roma Sale-

yards, was impeccable in its connectivity. “Roma provides a high degree of amenity, including several international agricultural machinery service and sales outlets, agricultural support services, education (primary and secondary) and medical and government services,” he said. “Roma airport also provides direct flights to multiple Australian capital cities.” Roma Feedlot & Spelling Yards is offered for sale by expression of interest “in one line“ or as

Picture: SUPPLIED

separate assets. The campaign closes on 9 November. ABOUT THE PROPERTY Favourable balance of land and soil types to complement a commercial feedlot and mixed farming enterprise. Secure water resources comprising groundwater allocations and associated bores. The Feedlot operates under the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme.

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Sharp cane prices to drive strong Innisfail demand By Fiona Gowers Sharpening global sugar prices may underpin strong domestic and foreign demand in the Innisfail Sugarcane Aggregation, which is for sale. Located in Far North Queensland’s Cassowary Coast region, the productive enterprise covers about 405 hectares, which are managed as eight distinct designated dryland sugarcane farms. JLL agribusiness executive James Mitchell, alongside JLL agribusiness directors Clayton Smith, Chris Holgar and Geoff Warriner are the selling agents. “The holding has an interesting backstory as it was progressively acquired and developed across 18 years by two private local families,” Mr Mitchell said. “Having effectively built it from the ground up, they’ve created a strong agricultural legacy in a part of Queensland that is traditionally tightly held. “Given the rarity of the offer - and the strength of the sugarcane industry - we expect significant interest from existing local producers, agricultural consortia and corporate investors nationally.” Across the aggregation, which lies roughly 1600 kilometres from Brisbane, dryland sugarcane farming areas have been established to capitalise on the average annual rainfall of 3.5 metres and the productive soil types, which cover slightly undulating and flat floodplains of the Innisfail/red volcanic districts. Seven sugar mill receival points complement the mixed-farm enterprise, reducing hauling distances from the harvester to the cane bins. Its proximity to the MSF South Johnstone sugar mill, which is roughly seven kilometres from the centre of the aggregation, promotes efficiency and productivity. Operationally, the enterprise has two full-time staff members, with a series of contractors used for planting and spraying 4 TODAY November 2023

The Innisfail Sugarcane Aggregation, located in Far North Queensland’s Cassowary Coast region, is for sale. It covers 405 hectares. Picture: SUPPLIED requirements. Its location - close to Innisfail - provides easy access to agricultural support services and workforce. Mr Mitchell noted the aggregation would offer buyers potential that extended beyond agriculture. “The productive sugarcane land is complemented by a secondary income stream generated by a partnership with GreenCollar

for Reef Credit generation,” he said. “This sees properties incentivised to help tackle the issue of poor water quality being distributed into the river systems and catchments affecting the Great Barrier Reef. “Due to its proximity to Innisfail, about 18.53ha have also been designated within the ‘planned’ urban footprint of the Far North Queensland Regional Plan (2025).

“This creates potential for a variety of future development outcomes and residential densities, subject to council approval.” The aggregation is dissected by Queensland Rail’s North Coast line and offers ready access to the Bruce Highway, a major thoroughfare along Australia’s East Coast. Expressions of Interest for the Innisfail Sugarcane Aggregation close on 9 November.

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Victorian couple Dane Kelsey and Tyler Agius work for record-breaking Brahman breeder Rodger Jefferis who moved to central Queensland in 2022 after 40 years spent building his breeding program at McKinlay near Cloncurry. His team was known for producing - through their Elrose stud - the highest quality Brahman genetics in Australia.

Tyler Agius has extensive qualifications and experience in child care but is loving gaining experience in the agricultural field.

They’re livin’ the dream By Fiona Gowers On a former DPI research station called “Brigalow” near Theodore, Dane Kelsey and Tyler Agius are “livin’ the dream“. Since they met in 2018, aged 23 and 24, the Victorian couple yearned to work in outback Queensland; to drive buggies, manage cattle and to learn the ropes on a cattle station. Now working for record-breaking Brahman breeder Rodger Jefferis, they have certainly landed on their feet. Mr Jefferis moved to central Queensland to downsize in 2022 after 40 years spent building his breeding program at McKinlay near Cloncurry. Alongside his late wife Lorena, his team was known for producing - through their Elrose stud - the highest quality Brahman genetics in Australia. “Cattle have always been Dane’s niche and we are so lucky to be learning from such a legendary cattleman who is considered a role model for so many in the industry,” Tyler said. Dane began his agricultural career employed as a livestock trainee covering Queensland, NSW and Victoria, before working mixed-enterprise farms in his home state. “We have always known that we wanted to move to a station in Queensland and I am so proud we took that big step for our future,” Tyler said. “In June 2022 we started talking seriously about it as both our current contracts were finishing at the end of the year. “And, we thought, ‘If we want to do something like this and go work out on a station and get that sort of experience’, 2023 is going to be the year.”

Dane Kelsey and Tyler Agius have wanted to experience life in outback Queensland since they met in 2018. Pictures: SUPPLIED As such, Dane and Tyler joined recruitment agencies that specialised in agricultural placements, as well as specific Facebook groups.

With Tyler’s extensive qualifications and experience in child care, they were a match made in outback recruitment heaven.

“Station employers often advertise for couples and we had a few options to choose from,” Tyler said. “It was more or less trying to find something that was going to suit us. “We currently have a basic contract in place, which we wanted. It literally just specifies payment rates, time in employment and notice periods, that kind of thing.” Their day on Brigalow station starts at 6am and, for Dane, often involves mustering the Braham herd, drafting, branding and station maintenance. His daily jobs include fixing fences, checking stock water and supplying cattle with supplements to support their growth, fertility and sustainability in the ever-changing central Queensland conditions. Tyler, meanwhile, focuses on domestic duties, gardening and the rural administration side, while working on the station when time allows. “We wanted an employer who would give me the chance to gain experience in the agricultural field and work with cattle,” she said. “I’ve definitely been able to achieve that here with Rodger.” And, what have been the positives of working on a big Queensland station? “It’s definitely been a nice experience,” Tyler said. “Station life, especially with the beautiful environment and weather is great and offers a lot more flexibility as opposed to a standard nine-to-five job. “It has been a little bit challenging being away from family and friends, we miss them. “But, what balances that out is the fact that we are enjoying ourselves and making good money where we are.”

Dugald brings a passion for outback recruitment By Fiona Gowers With a lifetime of experience in the rural industry, Dugald Storie understands the qualities needed to thrive in a job on a remote station. Mr Storie owns and operates Bush Recruitment in Toowoomba, which sources quality staff to fill rural positions Australiawide. He said independence, resilience, integrity and good manners were key qualities required to be a successful jackaroo or jillaroo. “Most of the young people I place in remote sheep and cattle stations are country kids who come out of boarding schools,” Mr Storie said. “They have an understanding it will be hot, dry, dusty and, most importantly, they are well used to being away from home.” Raised on his family’s grazing properties in Narrabri, NSW and Tambo, Queensland, Mr Storie attended Longreach Pastoral College before working as a jackaroo. He later owned/ operated a mixed-enterprise property near Inverell. In 2013, Mr Storie began working as a re6 TODAY November 2023

cruiter in Toowoomba, specialising in filling rural vacant employment positions. Two years later he started Bush Recruitment, which services all of Queensland, as well as the Pilbara, Kimberley, NSW, the Northern Territory and South Australia. “I just thought, ‘I’m going to do it my way’,” Mr Storie said. “I am passionate about life on the land and the people within the industry. I understand how big stations work and know the requirements needed because I have lived that life.” Mr Storie said Bush Recruitment’s clients were heavily invested in employing quality staff, which resulted in high retention rates. “If we care about the livestock industry in Australia, we have to invest in our Australian people,” he said. “It’s a fun job that I do because the rural market is so buoyant and it is satisfying finding the perfect match between employer and employee.” If you are interested in pursuing a position on an outback station, please email your resume to: jobs@bushrecruitment.com.au

Dugald Storie owns and operates Bush Recruitment in Toowoomba.

Picture: SUPPLIED

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Repeat buyers step it up Repeat and volume buyers have underpinned the second NIOA RL Pastoral Santa Gertrudis Sale, stamping their trust in elite breedplan consistency. Craig Ross from Nebo-based Ross Grazing Co - back for his second visit to Talgai Homestead - outlaid $40,000 for five bulls including sale topper Riverina Skydiver S28 (PS) for $13,000. Tim Kirkwood, “Disney”, Clermont purchased four bulls for $34,000 while another four Riverina bulls will have a new home at Cloncurry with Bendigo Park securing Lots 18, 21, 22 and 25 for a total of $26,000. NIOA RL sale first-timers Rose Plains Grazing Co from Kyogle (five bulls, $25,000) rounded out the bulk buyers while the Odin Farming Trust - back for the second successive year - have four cattle (two Riverina bulls and two heifers, $18,000) heading out to “Willow Plain” at St George. The equal second highest priced bulls ($12,000) - NIOA Texas T08 (AI) and (P) NIOA Torpedo T06 (P) – are both headed for Wandoan to the Brigodoon Cattle Co and Annabranch Santa Gertrudis respectively. Craig Ross, who runs “Kemmis Creek” west of Nebo, said the Talgai event’s reputation for high-grade bloodlines kept him coming back. “I’ve been coming here since it’s inception and I was going to Yulgilbar before that when Rob (Sinnamon) was there,” he said. “They keep putting new blood through … so that is always a bonus to get some new genetics in your herd.” On his Lot 11 purchase Skydiver (the first son by Yulgilbar Platinum (PP)), he said: “He’s just a lovely muscled bull, his stats are good and he will fit into our breeding program very easily.” Sale manager Rob Sinnamon from RL Pastoral said the steadfast support of returning buyers demonstrated the confidence they had in the two Santa Gertrudis studs’ respective breeding programs. “We stand by the product that we breed here at NIOA and RL Pastoral,” he said. “What we are really delighted about today was the extent of the repeat buyer clientele. “Our northern clients - the Kirkwoods, the Rosses – those types of people and long-time supporters have again stepped up and bought their bulls at value for money today. “What we really appreciate is the endorsement of year in, year out support because they know the cattle will work for them. “We have had many compliments about the line of cattle today in terms of their growth, size and muscularity, and their year-on-year improvement, which is what we strive to do.” NIOA Santa Gertrudis general manager Shannon Gardner echoed Mr Sinnamon’s sentiments. “I had one of our repeat buyers ask me after the sale whether he could go and have a look at

Sale topper Riverina Skydiver S28 (PS) sold for $13,000.

Craig Ross of Kemmis Creek station (left) is congratulated by sale manager Rob Sinnamon on securing the top-priced bull Riverina Skydiver. Pictures: SUPPLIED our older sires in the paddock because he was very happy with the genetics he had bought over the last three years,” he said. “I reckon we had a crowd of 80 to 100 here today, I thought it was a good result given the environment we are in. “It’s good to have those regular buyers – I would like to thank all those people, buyers and underbidders, for coming back.” Mr Sinnamon, a stalwart of 34 studstock sales, promised “the greatest opportunity bull

Santa Gertrudis buyers and aficionados packed the verandah at Talgai Homestead for the NIOA RL pastoral sale.

buyers have had in a few years to shop well” at “very affordable values” – and (last month’s) sale lived up to the prediction. The two studs – NIOA Santa Gertrudis and RL Pastoral’s Riverina – combined to sell 40 of 60 bulls for an average of $6425 to a top of $13,000, clearing out 67 per cent of the draft, while eight of the 10 stud heifers catalogued sold for an average of $3625. A total of $286,000 worth of cattle changed hands on the day.

Elders auctioneer Anthony Ball said: “We’ve had a good day under some trying market conditions with the seasons changing, getting a bit drier. “The pleasing thing for me when we looked around today there was a lot of repeat buyers here - a lot of NIOA bulls, a lot of Riverina bulls going back to past buyers. “In tough times when buyers are more selective that’s probably a tick in the box for the breeding program.”

TSBE boss resigns By Fiona Gowers Greg Bowden has resigned as chief executive officer of the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) five months into the role. TSBE chairman John McVeigh announced the news via a statement in September. “Our CEO Greg Bowden has resigned as CEO of TSBE and has left the organisation,“ he said. “The TSBE Board and I want to take the opportunity to thank Greg for his time at TSBE and advise you of the steps we are taking to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership. “April Cavanagh, who has a strong background as Suncorp Bank’s former national head of agribusiness and, as a non-executive director of TSBE since 2018, will step in as our CEO for the next six months. “We have full confidence in April’s ability to guide us through this transition period and continue to lead our organisation effectively. “April will work with the Board and the TSBE team to continue to fulfil our strate-

gic objectives and deliver value to you - our members. “We are confident that our collective dedication and expertise will continue to drive growth and opportunity for our members and our region. “We appreciate your trust and partnership with us and we want to assure you that we are dedicated to maintaining the high standards you expect from TSBE. “If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch.“ Mr Bowden is a seasoned executive with a distinguished career in economic development, particularly in the mining, renewable energy, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, major events and public sector environments. He joined TSBE from Advance Rockhampton, replacing CEO of five years Ali Davenport. Reflecting on her time leading TSBE, Ms Davenport said in April she found great fulfillment in having seen the region’s key industries continue to flourish and evolve.

Former TSBE CEOs Greg Bowden and Ali Davenport with TSBE chairman John McVeigh. Picture: SUPPLIED November 2023 TODAY 7

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Welcome for Beef Mates An international spotlight was shone on Queensland beef last month as ambassadors from around the world delved into Queensland beef and cattle production from paddock to plate. The ambassadors form part of the groundbreaking Aussie Beef Mates program, with 25 delegates embarking on this Australian beef journey, making it the largest delegation of this kind. Organised by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), in strategic partnership with Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), the Aussie Beef Mates delegation ran from 3 October to 12 October. The delegation included globally-acclaimed chefs and food professionals representing 15 nations, with the group being treated to a showcase of unique beef production spanning from the Atherton Tablelands, through to Charter Towers and south east Queensland. The group visited beef properties, feedlots, state-of-the-art processing facilities and toptier restaurants. Additionally, they engaged in an Australian beef masterclass session where they delved into an array of captivating topics such as food safety programs and integrity systems, beef cooking inspiration and product showcase. Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said as the state’s largest agricultural export, beef was a cornerstone of the Queensland economy. “Queensland’s beef export industry is valued at $7.1 billion, with product regularly consumed in more than 60 countries around the world,” he said. “Queensland has the best farmers and beef producers in the world, who have forged a global reputation for quality. “The Palaszczuk Government is delighted to partner with MLA in order to ensure these proud Queensland businesses have even greater access to existing and emerging international markets.” MLA global business manager Josh Anderson said Queensland beef was globally celebrated for its exceptional quality and the industry’s unwavering commitment to safe and sustainable production. “Through the Aussie Beef Mates program, international chefs and food experts gain deep insights into Australian beef production, empowering them to share this compelling story within their global networks,“ he said. “This ignites international demand for our premium product. “There’s no better way to embrace the essence of the Australian beef industry than by immersing our Aussie Beef Mates in the company of passionate Queensland producers and seeing first-hand the care and commitment that goes into producing this world-renowned beef.“ Throughout the week, the Aussie Beef Mates shared ideas on innovative beef uses and networked with stakeholders within the supply chain. Importantly, they learnt from each other as they created beef dishes inspired by regional flavours. One of the Aussie Beef Mates is Korean chef

International Aussie Beef Mates at Wambiana station near Charters Towers.

Aussie Beef Mate Wang Geng from mainland China. Shinae Hong, a top chef who frequently hosts famous cooking programs, sharing the screen with A-list celebrities. Ms Hong’s connection with Australian beef began in 2016 when she visited Australia while shooting “Wednesday Gourmet”, a popular Korean cooking program. While here, she was impressed by Australia’s beef industry and its treatment of livestock. “Australia’s approach to animal welfare really made an impression on me,” she said. “The efforts for ensuring animal welfare - from grazing to slaughter - was a testament to the industry’s professionalism and their appreciation for the craft.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Aussie Beef Mates experience cattle farming on the Atherton Tablelands.

“It was great to see such a commitment to sustainable livestock farming. “In a world full of health trends, I believe that the healthiest food still comes from nature. “Keeping in line with that, Australian beef’s commitment to bringing nature into its business through practices such as open pasture grazing and healthy feed is what makes Australian Beef really stand out. “I am delighted to have been selected as an official Australian Beef Mate and look forward to being a part of this year’s visiting team as a representative of Korea. “Australian beef has always stood for quality and I’m excited to cook up new ways to

share it with more kitchens around the world.” The Aussie Beef Mates delegation 2023 is a testament to MLA’s commitment to promoting Australian beef on the global stage and the Queensland Government’s support of the local industry. Through this program, MLA and TIQ hope to continue to strengthen relationships with key international markets and to drive demand for Australian beef. The delegation to Queensland included Aussie Beef Mates from mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Mexico and the United States.

Innovative plan to improve plant health, food security A new agricultural program is launching to unearth solutions to enhance plant health, a critical challenge in the sector given the world’s food supply relies on plants that can grow and produce strong yields. The Agtech and Logistics Hub in Toowoomba is delivering the open innovation initiative in conjunction with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), a peak body for beef, sheep and goat producers who need healthy pastures for their animals to graze. The new OpenGround program will bring together scaleups and innovation companies with leading minds from academia, industry, agribusiness, research and government to collaborate on solutions. Participants will gain access to key networks to advance their market-ready solutions and will have the opportunity to take part in a “Demo Day“ on November 23. 8 TODAY November 2023

The OpenGround program focuses on discovering innovations that support the future of sustainable agriculture through plant health. To this end, the program seeks farmerrelevant, innovative agtech, biological and non-synthetic solutions that have the potential to transform crop and pasture management. This includes the measurement and management of plant establishment, pests, nutrition, utilisation by livestock and grazing management and their impacts on soil, water and the natural capital resources. Solutions should enable increased productivity, profitability and enhanced sustainability while supporting the industry to grow with the evolving expectations of customers. Agtech and Logistics hub manager Owen

Williams said the OpenGround program to grow solutions in plant health was vital given the increasing number of mouths to feed globally and climate challenges. “With a growing world population, a changing climate and the rise of Environmental, Social and Governance, plant health has never been more important,” he said. “It is critical to address challenges around plant health given our food supply relies on plants that can grow and produce strong yields and healthy pastures for livestock in the face of pests and environmental challenges.” The OpenGround program will include a special Demo Day at the Hub on Thursday 23 November where participants will showcase their innovations to industry. * For more information visit: https://agtechlogisticshub.com.au/openground/

The new OpenGround program will draw together scaleups and innovation companies, with leading minds from academia, industry, agribusiness, research and government to collaborate on solutions. Picture: SUPPLIED

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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Thinking sustainability By Liv Casben, AAP Dozens of farmers are taking part in one of Australia’s largest ever studies of sustainability in the red meat industry. Producers across 10 million hectares will investigate how they can improve farming foundations to boost sustainability while maintaining productivity and profitability. The Food for the Future study is looking at how producers can tackle emissions reduction, increase biodiversity and expand their regenerative agriculture techniques within the red meat supply chain. Global meat producer Hewitt, which runs Australia’s largest red meat organic supply chain, is leading the study alongside Meat and Livestock Australia and conservation group Bush Heritage Australia. Hewitt’s 80 beef and lamb suppliers have been approached to take part in the research, with a quarter opting in on the carbon part of the project. Nathan Moore from Hewitt said the information will help red meat producers understand how sustainability can be achieved in a practical way. “There is an existing gap in the red meat industry for understanding greenhouse gas accounting and how it fits into an enterprise,” he told AAP. He said the research will help producers better understand emissions reduction and how it relates to sustainability for organic production. The information will also be shared outside of the Hewitt network. “We’ll be extending those lessons to potentially an additional 200 producers through public sessions around the findings and what we’ve discovered through our supply chain,” he said. The study, which began in March, involved greenhouse gas accounting on 400,000 head of cattle and sheep across more than five million

hectares of land. Soil mapping and testing has been carried out over more than four million hectares, with that expected to ramp up to 10 million by 2025. Mr Moore said drones have gathered information across 700 of Hewitt’s sites assessing their biodiversity value, while the project is also exploring how money can be made from carbon. It is that huge scale that makes the project

unique, according to the Meat and Livestock Association. “It’s one of the largest, if not the largest projects in this space to look at livestock production and its interaction with the environment,” the association’s Jason Strong said. “It’s looking at how do we demonstrate the sustainability of the red meat sector in a commercial and practical way? “It’s a broad scale project that covers a large

range of environmental conditions, but it’s happening at scale.” Mr Strong said the study is assessing what approaches are already working commercially and aims to demonstrate how producers can be both environmentally sustainable and productive. The study is being rolled out over two stages across 2023 and 2024, with updates delivered along the way.

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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Fields of charitable gold By Fiona Gowers A sunflower festival in the Scenic Rim that attracts more than 12,000 people to its golden fields has a goal to raise $100,000 for vital cancer research and care at Mater. Kalbar Sunflower Festival organiser and farmer Jenny Jenner said April’s event, which will which feature more than a million sunflowers in full bloom, will recognise her husband Russell Jenner, who died in July after an 18-month battle with oesophageal cancer. Mr Jenner was a patient at the Mater Cancer Care Centres in Springfield and South Brisbane. He was moved by the kindness of the medical teams who supported him throughout his treatment. “Russell was known as the ‘sunflower man’ and was pivotal in creating this wonderful sunflower festival,” Mrs Jenner said. “We hope the continuation of the annual Sunflower Festival will be his legacy and our fundraising efforts will help support others going through chemotherapy and radiation treatment at Mater. “Russell enjoyed seeing the happiness and joy that sunflowers brought to people.” Mrs Jenner said the partnership with Mater Foundation would provide visitors an opportunity to help fundraise and honour those going through a cancer journey. The Jenners regularly gifted bucket-loads of sunflowers to the nurses and patients at Mater in a gesture of thanks for the medical care provided and to brighten the day of fellow patients also going through treatment. Mater Foundation director of corporate and community engagement Rowan Foster said the partnership with Kalbar Sunflowers was an opportunity to help change the future of patients diagnosed with cancer. “For every sunflower sold during the festi-

Russell Jenner with Mater nursing staff. val $1.50 will be donated to Mater and will go towards vital research in helping to find a cure for cancer,” Mr Foster said. “Life is better with sunflowers and we feel privileged to be supported by an event that is so uplifting and brings so much joy to the community. “The event, held in honour of a great Queensland farmer, will be bursting with

Pictures: SUPPLIED pride and blooms.” The festival will feature more than one million sunflowers and is a popular spot for photo opportunities and yoga sessions, with sound healing meditation classes being held for the first time next year. Planning is underway for a new children’s fairy garden and a disability viewing area.

Jenny and Russell Jenner. “Most importantly there will also be time to leisurely walk the fields and feel the impact and joy that so many sunflowers can bring,” Mrs Jenner said. The next Kalbar Sunflower Festival will be held from 19 to 21 April 2024. * To find out more or to become a corporate sponsor visit kalbarsunflowers.com.au or email info@kalbarsunflowers.com.au.

Data sharing system to unlock potential of ag research A team of University of Southern Queensland researchers have joined a national partnership helping to advance the country’s agricultural sector through innovative application of digital technology. The Agricultural Research Federation (AgReFed) Platform is an Australian program that aims to improve the discoverability of trusted, reusable and analysis-ready agridata from across Australia. Everyone from landholders to researchers and industry professionals can use the opensource platform to perform repeatable analysis, as well as draw on new and existing data to produce novel insights across multiple agricultural sectors. The project, led by Federation University Australia and supported by the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC), has united several universities and industry partners under a shared goal: to make agricultural data more findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR). “AgReFed Platform is providing tools and workflows to support agricultural researchers and to change the way agriculture research is conducted across Australia,” director Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (Federation Uni) Helen Thompson said. Working within the diverse team of experts are University of Southern Queensland senior digital research advisor Dr Francis Gacenga and computational agro-econometrist Dr Duc-Anh An-Vo, who have helped to develop the platform. “Agricultural research is not homogenous - there are many different fields, such as those provided at UniSQ, including farming systems, climatology and plant and soil science, with each using different techniques and producing different data types,” Dr Gacenga said. “There is also the challenge of sharing agricultural datasets without worrying about licensing commitments. “AgReFed provides a platform where users can share and analyse their datasets and research methodologies within a controlled 12 TODAY November 2023

Working within the diverse team of experts are University of Southern Queensland computational agro-econometrist Dr Duc-Anh An-Vo (left) and senior digital research advisor Dr Francis Gacenga. Picture: SUPPLIED system, helping to improve the quality and impact of their work and others. “AgReFed provides access to infrastructure, storage and automation required to get

the most out of aggregated data. “This can save Ag industry stakeholders significant time and effort. “We have created the platform’s founda-

tion and, over time, we’re hoping to build something that will revolutionise agricultural data management practices in Australia.” The system is based on a federated cloud model, where contributors can share their work to a server while still retaining data ownership. In one application, the platform is used to integrate biological and yield data with spatial-temporal-environmental and sensor data to improve discoverability and output. The platform also provides access to coding scripts, allowing users to run scripts that sort through data to produce a usable output, saving them from having to clean and manipulate the data manually. “For example, an agricultural researcher can log into the system and, with no experience in coding, select a combination of datasets and run scripted code to generate useful results such as find the best sowing time for a variety of grain” Dr Gacenga said. “Individuals can use this system in many ways, including to inform policymaking, improve innovation and to promote collaboration,” Dr An-Vo said. “There is no limit to its applications – wherever there is data, there is the ability to unlock greater potential.” AgReFed council chair Dr Nicolas Taylor (University of Western Australia) said UniSQ’s contribution to the AgReFed platform would have wide-ranging impacts. “It empowers researchers to access and explore reliable, reusable datasets, workflows and models in agriculture,” Dr Taylor said. “This fosters data reuse and encourages collaborative efforts across different disciplines, leading to innovative research discoveries and their practical implementation in policy, reporting and on-ground decisionmaking processes.” More information about AgReFed can be found at https://www.agrefed.org.au/ Please register to AgReFed platform seminar series and workshops to learn how to access and use the platform.

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Speedy branch elevation Born and bred in St George, Queensland, Georgina Speedy is now, at 22-years-old, managing the Elders branch in her beloved hometown. Georgina began with Elders in St George in 2021 as a sales support officer, where she proved to have an exceptional set of natural skills and leadership abilities. Of her appointment, Georgina said she would continue to provide outstanding customer service to current and future customers. “I feel exceptionally fortunate to take on a management role in the town that I grew up in,” she said. “I would have never thought in two and a half years of working for Elders I would be getting the opportunity to become a branch manager and lead the St George team. “I am so excited to take on this responsibility, grow my knowledge and further my career.” Georgina plans to lead the branch with teamwork at heart, ensuring the team feels supported to deliver their best for clients. “Over the last two and half years I have built great relationships with my colleagues and the clients that keep Elders going and growing,” she said. “I plan to lead by example and uphold the outstanding practices and service that the team at St George demonstrate every day. “We all value teamwork and collaboration within our roles and embody the phrase ‘teamwork makes the dream work’ in our everyday tasks. “Our goal is to continue to provide the outstanding customer service our customers have come to expect.” Elders area manager for south west Queensland Lachlan Radford said Georgina’s local knowledge and relationships would serve

Georgina Speedy is the new manager of Elders in St George. her well in the role. “Georgina’s knowledge, commitment and passion, along with her drive and determination will continue to see the business grow under her leadership,” he said. Elders St George is a valued member of the

Granite Belt Growers Association’s first female president Connie Taylor.

Picture: SUPPLIED

local community, which Georgina is keen to see continue and grow. The branch supports St George State High School’s ag plot, providing guidance and support in their agriculture projects. They also sponsor many community clubs

Picture: SAMANTHA WANTLING

and events including the St Patrick’s School Fete, St George Agricultural Show, St George Campdraft, St George Frillnecks Rugby League Club, Dirranbandi Agricultural Show, Dirranbandi Campdraft, Dirranbandi Polocrosse, Bollon Campdraft and Bollon Polocrosse.

Connie Taylor, Jess Andreatta, Richard Ross (behind) and Katherine Gow are they board of the Granite Belt Growers Association.

Granite Belt growers make historic appointment By Lucy Waldron The Granite Belt Growers Association has recently made history by electing its first female president. The association, which represents the interests of local growers in the region, has long been led by male presidents. However, this significant milestone marks a new era of leadership and inclusivity. Connie Taylor has stepped up to the role with a mixture of nerves and excitement for her new position within the association. “I feel a bit nervous, but I have a great team behind me, so I know there will be sup14 TODAY November 2023

port wherever I turn,“ she said. With the backing of her team, Connie is eager to embrace the challenges and responsibilities that come with the position. When asked about her decision to step up as president, she responded with a simple “Why not?“ She sees it as a natural progression from her previous role as Vice President and is ready to learn the ropes as she goes. Despite her nerves, she is confident in her abilities and is determined to make a positive impact during her tenure. As president, her plans include prioritising the securing of water resources for the region. This is a crucial issue for both the

agricultural sector and the community as a whole. Another priority on her agenda is to provide comprehensive support to local growers, whether it be in terms of logistics, compliance, or any other challenges they may face, and she also hopes to secure funding for future projects that will benefit the entire community. While she intends to maintain the association’s existing strategies and initiatives, Connie is open to adaptation and growth along the way. She believes in building upon the foundation laid by her predecessors while also exploring new avenues for progress.

“I am most looking forward to proving to myself that I can do it,” Connie said. The new president expressed her gratitude towards the supportive community and committee members who have shown unwavering support. Their backing reinforces her confidence and strengthens her resolve to lead the association with dedication and integrity. The appointment of the first female president marks a significant milestone for the Granite Belt Growers Association. With a passionate and capable leader at the helm, the future looks promising for the association and the local growers it represents.

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The new ag generation The face of Australia’s agricultural industry is changing as a new group of young women and people from diverse cultural backgrounds enter the industry. Westpac’s Regional Champions and Changemakers Report 2023 highlights the generational change underpinning a 30 per cent increase in people aged 25 to 29 in the industry since 2006. Westpac analysis of ABS Census data shows the number of young females working in agriculture has significantly increased, up 42pc compared with 15 years ago, in the 25 to 34 year age group. They also comprise nearly half the bachelor degree qualified workers, despite only representing one third of this age group. This generation is also more culturally diverse with more than half of agriculture workers aged 20 to 39 with one or more parents born overseas, compared with only 20pc for 60 to 69-year-old workers. Westpac national general manager, regional commercial and agribusiness Peta Ward said it was exciting to see the generational change. “Agriculture is a significant contributor to our national economy and it is vital that we continue to grow and attract a pipeline of talent to this important industry,“ she said. “The jobs available in agriculture today have never been more interesting or more diverse, with broader appeal to a younger generation drawn by the increasing role of technology and innovation, a greater focus on sustainability and new scientific advancements. “This is an exciting time for the industry and it’s important that we continue the momentum to fully realise this opportunity. “Agriculture-related degrees and skillsbased training courses provide an essential avenue to engage with young people and set them up for a long and successful career in the industry, along with industry-based programs.“ In collaboration with AgriFutures, Westpac surveyed a group of more than 30 past and present participants in the Horizon Scholars

Westpac national general manager, regional commercial and agribusiness, Peta Ward. Picture: SUPPLIED Program to better understand the current opportunities and challenges from the industry’s emerging leaders. Many of the Scholars highlighted the need for more opportunities to expand their networks and relationships and help them move towards industry and community leadership roles. “The diversity of skills, values, interests and ideas this new generation of people is bringing to the industry is invaluable.“ Ms Ward said succession planning was critical to the sector’s future growth and sustainability. Westpac’s report found less workers aged 35 to 59 were in the industry now compared with 2006 due to a lack of young people previously entering the industry. “Navigating succession remains a challenge for many farming businesses but is vital for future growth and prosperity. “Encouragingly, we are seeing some new and innovative ways that families are approaching this challenge which allows them great flexibility while investing in the productivity of their farms and vitality of their communities.“

Westpac analysis of ABS Census data shows the number of young females working in agriculture has significantly increased, up 42 per cent compared with 15 years ago, in the 25 to 34 year age group. Picture: INFOGRAPHIC SUPPLIED

Key MLA appointment Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has announced the appointment of Dr Jane Weatherley as general manager of communications and adoption. Dr Weatherley comes to the role from Integrity Systems Company (ISC), a subsidiary of MLA, where she has been chief executive officer since 2016. Prior to this, she was MLA’s general manager – livestock productivity, managing Meat Standards Australia (MSA), livestock genetics and sheep productivity RD&E. In her new role, Dr Weatherley will provide strategic direction and leadership to develop and implement stakeholder engagement and communication strategies that build awareness and adoption of MLA activities and programs. She will also spearhead the adoption of innovative agricultural practices among livestock producers by enhancing the critical linkages between adoption and communication. With a keen focus on delivering impactful messaging to stakeholders and the broader public, she will play a pivotal role in promoting the benefits of the Australian livestock industry and its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. Dr Weatherley said she was excited to assume the role and to strategically drive communication and adoption strategies that

enhanced the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the industry. “I look forward to working with the MLA team in this role to help red meat and livestock producers build greater connections with MLA R&D and marketing activities,“ Dr Weatherley said. “And, also to continue to build our positive communications with the broader community, telling Australian red meat’s incredible story,” MLA’s managing director Jason Strong said MLA was thrilled to announce Dr Weatherley as the general manager of communications and adoption. “Jane has extensive experience in communications, adoption and extension backed by a deep knowledge of and passion for the industry,” he said. “She has an incredible track record of delivering high value and impactful initiatives for the industry.” Dr Weatherley began her new role in August.

Dr Jane Weatherley is the MLA’s new general manager of communications and adoption. Picture: MEAT & LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIA

November 2023 TODAY 15

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

New plan guides future of Australian insect industry...

It’s not just crickets With the global insect market expected to be worth more than US$6.8 billion by 2032, AgriFutures Australia has released a new five-year plan to accelerate the growth of the emerging Australian industry. The Australian Insect Industry RD&E Plan 2023-2028 will help Australia position itself to capitalise on this incredible commercial opportunity for a sustainable long-term future. Insects such as black soldier fly larvae, mealworms and crickets are a highly efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional protein sources for human food and animal feed and are also an excellent organic fertiliser. Increased investment in the Australian insect industry over the past decade has been underpinned by its potential to address several global challenges including food waste, climate volatility and the growing population’s increasing demand for protein. Building on an initial RD&E plan published in 2020, the Australian Insect Industry RD&E Plan 2023-2028 identifies five focus themes to address key barriers to scale and to improve the Australian industry’s competitive advantage. The plan, produced as part of AgriFutures’ Emerging Industries Program, was developed in close consultation with the Insect Protein Association of Australia (IPAA) and included stakeholders such as insect producers, manufacturers, downstream customers, waste management companies, fertiliser companies and researchers. IPAA chair Duncan Rowland said one of the plan’s key priorities was to establish best practice guidelines and standards to shore up the credibility and quality of the industry. “We’ve also got to be able to enhance, strengthen and grow the industry’s capacity and capabilities,” he said. “Australia is about 10 years behind what is happening in the EU and North American insect industries but, by addressing the priorities identified in the plan, we will be able to significantly close that gap.” Other priority themes include efficiencies and optimisation for current systems, opening up new markets, products and use cases, market development, consumer education and social license to operate. Mr Rowland said one of the greatest opportunities for the industry was in the replacement of protein meals in stockfeed. “Australia imports about 55,000 tonnes of soybean meal every fortnight and we have a huge opportunity there to substitute that out for Australian-grown protein meal,” Mr Rowland said. AgriFutures Australia senior manager emerging industries Dr Olivia Reynolds said the plan would feed into the activities of the recently formed Emerging Insect Technology Hub (EIT-Hub), a partnership between AgriFutures, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), an international scientific research institute based in Nairobi, Kenya, which will

Black Soldier fly larvae.

Black Soldier fly. centralise knowledge and engagement around insect farming in Australia and Africa. “The Australian Insect Industry RD&E Plan together with the African equivalent plan will play a vital role in guiding the direction of the

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Black Soldier fly larvae - dried. EIT-Hub and its activities,” Dr Reynolds said. “One of the initial goals of the EIT-Hub is the creation of a gold standard manual for the production and processing of black soldier flies which directly aligns with the first priority

in the plan.“ AgriFutures Australia has also recently announced it will invest $2million into Insect Industry Program of Research over the next five years.

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16 TODAY November 2023

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Farmers receive hay, help Australia’s trusted rural charity has helped North Burnett farmers with an army of volunteers and a large hay delivery. In all, 35 volunteers have worked across six farms in Biggenden, helping to repair floodaffected properties. Local cattle farmer Norm Schonrock went through two floods in 12 months that destroyed multiple fences. “We had a fair bit of fencing down, so the volunteers came and picked up all the old wire that was twisted around posts or lying down because we had cattle getting caught in that,” Norm said. “All those jobs that we always mean to get done but that don’t take priority, we’re getting a lot of those done now, so it’s really helpful.” The Rural Aid volunteers completed dozens of jobs as part of the Farm Recovery Event, including repairing fences, building ramps and constructing shade sails. Rural Aid also distributed 112 tonnes of hay between 12 farmers at the start of the week. Rural Aid farm and community coordinator Grant Miskimmin noted the area was feeling the dry already and that the 203 bales would help tide locals over. “It’s pretty dry around here at the moment and the farmers are all a bit nervous about what’s ahead of them so it’s a great time to be here and to help them out,” he said. “Farmers find it very difficult to deal with some of these natural disasters.“ Biggenden farmers were also gifted lickblocks and Multikraft Probiotic Solutions throughout the week. The volunteers stayed at the Biggenden showgrounds and worked on properties between Monday 25 September and Friday 29 September, inclusive.

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November 2023 TODAY 17

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

TAFE advancing agriculture Australia’s agriculture industry is well placed to advance as TAFE Queensland aims to provide free training opportunities for employers. TAFE Queensland has partnered with the Australian Government, Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), Regional Development Australia, and Central Queensland University Australia to launch the Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub. The need for skilled workers in Queensland’s agriculture sector is paramount to ensure the sustainability and growth of businesses. The Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub is designed to address this demand by offering industry-led training to equip employers with skilled workers who can contribute to the future-proofing of their enterprises. TAFE Queensland’s Executive Director and Head of Commercial Business, Robert Petherbridge emphasised the importance of the program in meeting the evolving challenges faced by the industry. “The aim of Queensland’s first Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub is to establish and support new ways of attracting, skilling, upskilling, retaining and growing local workforces,“ Robert said. “We have worked hand-in-hand with industry to develop a broad suite of new and updated skills and workforce programs – from micro-credentials and accredited skillsets to nationally recognised qualifications.” The training programs offered by the Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub will focus on cutting-edge technologies such as drones, digital technology, sensors, monitoring devices, programming techniques, GPS operation, as well as fostering innovative thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills are essential for the agriculture industry to embrace technological advancements and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. One of the significant benefits of the program is its accessibility. Training modules are

Kallia Stehbens and TAFE Queensland Agriculture Teacher Vanessa Caine talk vertical farming in a Grow Pod. delivered online, allowing participants to learn at their own pace. The training is completely free, making it financially feasible for employers to invest in upskilling and reskilling their workforce. By taking advantage of this opportunity, employers can ensure that their employees are equipped with the necessary skills to meet

current and future industry demands. This collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and industry bodies demonstrates a commitment to fostering a thriving agriculture sector in Queensland. By providing free training in the latest technologies, the Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub aims to create a resilient and skilled

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

workforce that can adapt to the changing landscape of the industry. For more information about the Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub and to participate in this industry-leading training program, interested employers can visit the TAFE Queensland website or contact their local TAFE Queensland campus.

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18 TODAY November 2023

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

OPINION

A virtual farming future BREAKING GROUND WITH OWEN WILLIAMS Aussie farmers will one day have two types of farms – their actual farms and virtual ones. While the concept of virtual farms may conjure up images of the old video game FarmVille, where users grew crops and raised livestock, simulation will become reality in the not-too-distant future. This ties into the rapid development and uptake of agtech, including robotics, automation and AI. Agtech in Australia has grown exponentially in the past decade, with a raft of new innovations emerging to improve efficiency, profitability and sustainability for businesses in the agricultural sector. With Agtech Month and National Agriculture Day falling in November, it’s a good time to have a look at how agtech is helping agribusinesses innovate and grow – both now and into the future. Since the Agtech and Logistics Hub opened nearly two-and-a-half years ago, we’ve worked with some incredible innovators who have developed everything from cutting-edge traceability platforms to micro-irrigation tech. With the agtech sector thriving, the potential to improve yields, efficiency and profitability is huge. Here are the types of agtech set to transform the agriculture sector: Traceability: As more consumers want to know how their food gets from paddock to plate, the demand for traceability is strengthening. By facilitating the track-

nesses to compete globally by boosting productivity and speed to market. We’re already seeing the development of fully autonomous tractors using advanced AI, as well as agricultural robots being used for crop production. Farmers are also using machine learning to collect and interpret vast amounts of data to assist with farming automation and on-farm decision making. Sustainability: A big question right now is how agribusinesses adopt better and safer environmental standards while still being competitive on the global market. We’re seeing a lot more agtech coming into this space, including AI modelling to predict what carbon is being captured. There’s also ‘circular economy’ tech that can take waste or byproducts from farms and make them into a useable input for agriculture or other industries. This ncludes tech that can turn manure into fertiliser. Across the sector, we are starting to get a full picture of what the farms of the future are going to look like – more virtual, autonomous and precise. However, there are some challenges. One is agtech adoption, with many farmers struggling to find the reliable digital connections required for digital technologies and/or the skills to operate them. Another is commercialisation. While Australia is known for its agtech research, funding and scaling the technologies can be a challenge. We also need to ensure the industry is collaborating. While it’s great so much tech is emerging, the tech needs to work together in a way that doesn’t require a farmer to install 20 apps on their phone. These are challenges we’re working to overcome, with agtech required to play a major role in meeting Australia’s bold goal of lifting its farm gate value from a forecast $80 billion in 2023-24 to $100 billion by 2030.

ing of a product right through the agrifood supply chain, traceability allows growers, producers and businesses to validate the quality, provenance and safety of food products. There are companies developing some incredible traceability platforms and we’ve just seen Meat &amp; Livestock Australia (MLA) awarded a $22.5 million federal grant to build a new national livestock traceability platform. Traceability can be of huge value to agribusinesses, helping them with compliance and enabling them to back up their marketing claims or showcase their point of difference via a simple QR code. IoT sensors: We’re seeing huge growth in IoT

(Internet of Things) sensors being used in the sector. IoT sensors analyse crops, temperature, humidity, water, and soil conditions, providing farmers with real-time data to make planting and harvesting decisions. They can also be used to track livestock and equipment, and even detect the presence of pests. IoT devices are paramount for precision farming, allowing for the use of realtime data to increase yields while reducing inputs such as water and fertiliser. AI driven-automation, robotics and machine learning: This trio of technologies is going to be instrumental in advancing Australia’s agricultural sector, enabling agribusi-

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November 2023 TODAY 19

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Beeblee Brangus females topped the National Brangus Commercial Female Sale. Picture: MARIA LLOYD

Beeblee Bentley (lot 284) sold for $15,000 to JW and KL Geddes. Picture: SHARON ATKINSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Beeblee Brangus owner Jason Lloyd said goodbye to Beeblee Bennett (lot 286) after he was sold for $14,000 to Bullrush Pastoral.

Nebo family scores big First-time vendors for Brangus Australia, Jason and Maria Lloyd, Beeblee Brangus, topped the National Brangus commercial female sale at CQLX Gracemere on Sunday 8 October. From Beeblee Station Nebo the family entered three female pens of 26, averaging $1396 and four bulls averaging $10,250. Prepared on silage, hay and protein pellets from Cattle King Agricultural Services, the two female pens were purchased for $1280 and $1440 by Oakdale Pastoral and the other female pen was to Steve Chapman for $1520. The pairs lead bull Beeblee Bentley (lot 284), a potential sire and easy-doing bull sold for $15,000 to JW and KL Geddes from Woongarra, Dingo. Beeblee Bennett (lot 286) sold for $14,000 to Mark and Pauline Lloyd from Bullrush Pastoral, Coppabella, Beeble Baxter (lot 285) was purchased for $7000 by MM and LM Bauer and Beeblee Brodie (lot 283) sold for $5000 to SA Debois. Although they are first-time vendors for Brangus Australia, the Lloyd family made the top ten in averages across the whole National Brangus Sale. “All of our cattle have gone to really good homes,” Jason said. “We are very commercially focused so we are trying to incorporate some of our commercial herd into our new stud. “We stand by what we sell.” Having bred Brangus cattle for 40 years Jason said breeding quality cattle for them is not all about the stud prefix but breeding quality commercial cattle is just as important. “We enjoy breeding cattle as it’s our passion and a big part of our life and we would be more than happy to use our sale bulls in our own herd if we could,” he said. “Our herd goes way back to generations of breeding all being Australian Bloodlines which we think is important to stick to. “Our mission is to breed quality cattle well presented with an emphasis on docility and fertility, hence our slogan.” Jason and Maira gave their gratitude and thanks.

Beeblee Brangus commercial females. “A huge thankyou to Joshua Heck, Georgie Connor and the GDL team for all your hard work, commitment and fantastic

support,” they said. “You guys have been incredible. “Congratulations to all the other vendors

and Brangus Australia for such a successful sale and we look forward to coming back next year.”

NSW vendor took home $70,000 at Brangus sale By Breanna Lloyd New South Wales vendors were pleased to attend the National Brangus Bull and Female Sale after their lead bull topped the sale at CQLX Gracemere on Monday 9 October. From second and third-generational Belview Doner cows, Sunday Camp S010 (lot 125) and Sunday Camp S027 (lot 126) together made $97,500 for the Lowe family. Sunday Camp S010 (lot 125) went to buyer Catherine and Paul Mackenzie, Arizona Brahmans from Dingo. The stud’s second bull, Sunday Camp S027 (lot 126) sold for $27,500 to Jay Hampson, Sunshine Brangus from Warialda NSW. Sunday Camp owner Daniel Lowe said he was a bit dumbfounded when the auction 20 TODAY November 2023

was done and he didn’t really know what to think or say. “If we went home with $10,000 I would have been happy as well but for it to go that high was remarkable,” he said. “To this day it still hasn’t really sunk in properly.” Also hitting the $70,000 top price was Bruce Woodard’s Bonox 1453 bull (lot 320) from Taroom, sold to Francisian Training. “We appreciate any sort of support anyone gives us and I try my best and go find under bidders and thank them for their support,” Daniel said. “At the end of the day, everyone in the Brangus breed is trying to assist each other. “I’m humbled by the support and glad

someone else particularly liked the bull.” From Bellbrook NSW, Daniel, his wife and three children, started their journey with stud cattle five years ago. “I left school at 14 years of age and worked at different places at the golf and overseas,” he said. “I signed up for the first block of land when I was 20 and then bought the rest of the originally split-up block when I was 25. “We had cross-bred cows to start with and five years ago we started to go down the Brangus stud path.” The Lowe family since has continued to buy more cows, aiming to improve their game and eventually climb the ladder. “We have had a quarter of the rain this

year and without my partner, three kids and my parents next door, I wouldn’t have been able to attend the sale,” he said. “Without them, I would have left those two bulls in the paddock and stayed home feeding the cows. “We eat and drink daily, so I expect the cows to be treated the same.” Daniel said given he has the quality of the bulls, he and his family will definitely be attending next year’s Brangus sale. “The day you stop learning is where you might as well give up,” he said. “We are always aiming to get better and talking to different people about different trade tricks like how to present our cattle better or how you pen, feed and water them.”

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On Farm Bull & Female Sale

Quality and temperament By Breanna Lloyd Husband and wife Denis and Theresa Roberts are offering 10 quality lots of Speckle Park bulls and females available now for a private treaty sale. The couple’s main priorities in the Speckle Park herd are the beast’s overall quality and temperament and breeding them selectively to suit Queensland’s conditions. “It’s what they (Speckle Park) can do for other breeds from a commercial point of view,” Denis said. “Because we have bigger areas and paddocks than the rest of the country, I particularly breed a larger Speckle Park animal. “We try to look for a larger frame beast but the hardest part is to keep them soft to make them easy doing. “They have high marbling, a high growth rate and very strong fertility. “I have to wean my bulls at five months because they will start working at six months.” Denis is expecting buyers from Charters Towers, Emerald, Rockhampton, Taroom, and along the coast. “Ninety per cent of our bulls are white, which is not a bad thing because that means they can adapt to weather conditions better,” Denis said. “They are all priced to meet the current market between $5000 and $10,000 and we have a good range of commercially buyable bulls.” On their 500-hectare block, IvyHome Farm, located 18km from Kingaroy, Denis and Theresa Roberts manage their AAA Speckle Park Stud and their regenerated farming operation. The husband and wife operation began in 2012 in Oberon NSW when the pair decided to add their own authentic value to

AAA Speckle Park owner, Denis Roberts. the agricultural industry. Denis and Theresa decided to relocate to the South Burnett region in 2018 to IvyHome Farm consisting of creek flats and red soil. “Speckle Park has been on IvyHome Farm for 15 years and we have bred them for 12 years,” Denis said. From their on-property bull and female sale in June, Denis and Theresa’s bulls averaged

Picture: CONTRIBUTED $8600 and achieved a top price of $16,000 and females averaged $9600 and got a top price of $20,000. “We have our big sale in June but obviously, not everything is born on the same day so we have a little sale at this time of year to cater to people who are going into the breeding season,” Denis said. “We have a good range of bulls just to help

people out with their breeding.” Recently unveiled on IvyHome Farm was IvyHome Premium Beef, with their Black Label meat now available for pre-order sourced from registered dams and sires. Available sizes include Eighth, Quarter, Half and Whole. For more information head to the AAA Speckle Park website and Facebook page.

AAA SPECKLE PARK On Farm Bull and female sale

Genetics selected for QLD conditions All Bulls vet checked and blooded for tic and three day vac Located near Kingaroy Price range from 5,000 to 10,000 Freight assistance available

Contact Denis on 0423 868 351 or Visit website aaaspecklepark for more information 12640889-MS43-23

November 2023 TODAY 21

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Shaping industry’s future By Di Stanley The third instalment of CHRRUP’s 2023 LEADAg training program has been completed, with 12 students excitedly contemplating a future in the industry. With insights gained from property and ag industry business leaders across the Central Highlands and Clermont, project lead Meg McCosker said the participants, aged 15-17 years, now had ’a foot in the door’. “The other thing that is really good is it gives them connections to go into the workforce,“ Ms McCosker said. “There are so many opportunities to work in the ag sector, but I think the mix of not knowing what exists and also being unaware of what it entails kind of hinders the attraction and retention factor. “A lot of people think that ag is riding horses and driving tractors, but there’s so much more to it. “Our students really loved the LEADAg program and after every sessions, they’ve be like ’I had no idea that as even a pathway’ and something that is exciting.’ This year’s LEADAg cohort had a week to remember, meeting Clermont grazier and Muster Dogs star Frank Finger, visiting the Emerald Saleyards, Van Dyke feedlot, experiencing livestock handling and veterinary services, fencing, pasture management and agronomy. Ms McCosker said each session was a building block for the future. “We focused on large livestock production and management and we started off the wee by doing Frank and Scott Finger’s working dog course where we learnt all about how to utilise working dogs,“ she said. “Livestock handling was something we hadn’t touched on yet in the program and we went from working with cattle that had been trained for livestock handling to animals that had not been educated since they were wean-

Mentor Ian Burnett and CHRC Deputy Mayor Christine Rolfe (back left), LEADAg project lead Meg McCosker (front left) and students and participants in this year’s three-block course. ers so that was a unique insight. “I think that everything we touched on during the course was everything that the industry wanted us to touch on, which is great.“ Ms McCosker said she was confident the LEADAg program would be offered again in 2024 and possibly expanded. “We are in some discussions at the moment

with potential funding partners and hopefully they do come through and then we can confirm some exciting funding to run an 18-25 years program,“ she said. LEADAg has been developed by CHRRUP, a community-owned, central Queensland based profit-for-purpose organisation dedicated to thriving, connected rural communities.

It is the second year the program has been run and this is the first time it will be delivered outside central Queensland. LEADAg is funded by the Local Buying Foundation, SQNNSW Innovation Hub funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, and Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) funded by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

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22 TODAY November 2023

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Community and police working together To make our communities safe.

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If it’s an emergency or there’s immediate danger, Call Triple Zero 000 Visit www.police.qld.gov.au for more information 12628513-JC35-23

November 2023 TODAY 23

Air-fryer Mini Egg and Mince Parcels Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 65 minutes Makes: 6 Difficulty: Easy Ingredients: 6 small (50g) eggs

· · 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed · Egg wash, for brushing Soft Boiled Eggs 1. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil then cook for 3 minutes. Eggs should be soft boiled, so they don’t overcook in rolls. Drain and immerse in cold water. Peel. Meat Filling 1. To make filling, place mince, onion, carrot, garlic, parsley and mustard in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well. 2. Divide mixture into six and roll an egg into a portion of sausage mince to enclose. To assemble 1. Place pastry sheets on a flat surface and cut each sheet into three even strips. 2. Place sausage covered eggs at the end of each length of pastry. Press down gently to flatten slightly and shape mixture into a rectangle to fit pastry. 3. Roll up to enclose filling, brush end of pastry with egg wash to seal. Brush egg wash over each roll. Place rolls seam-side down.

· Tomato relish or tomato sauce, to serve Filling 500g beef sausage mince

· · 1 small onion, finely chopped · 1 medium carrot, grated · 1 clove garlic, crushed · ½ cup finely chopped parsley · 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 4. Preheat air-fryer to 180°C, place 2 rolls in the basket and cook for 20 minutes or until cooked. Remove and repeat with remaining rolls. Serve warm with relish or sauce. Oven Method 1. Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C (fanforced) and line a large baking tray with baking paper. Place parcels onto tray leaving a 2cm space between them. Cook for about 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and crisp. TIPS: 1. Dijon mustard can be removed altogether or replace with BBQ sauce. 2. Uncooked rolls can be frozen for up to 2 months. Cook rolls from frozen in a hot oven (200°C) for 45 to 50 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and crisp and filling is hot. 3. Great cold in a school lunch box instead of a sandwich. 4. Use eggs from a 600g carton of 12 eggs.

Recipe courtesy of Australian Eggs.

Egg, Bacon and Veggie Pie Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1½ tablespoons olive oil 350g piece kent pumpkin, peeled, cut into 1-2cm pieces 250g middle bacon rashers, finely chopped

· · ·

Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan forced. 2. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook pumpkin for 6-8 minutes or until just tender. Add bacon, leek, garlic, thyme and cook, stirring, for 5-7 minutes or until leeks are tender. Set aside to cool slightly. 3. Grease a 17cm x 22m (base measurement) rectangular baking dish. Line base and sides with the shortcrust pastry. 4. Cut puff pastry into 2.5cm wide strips. Cut half the strips in half lengthways to make thinner strips. Using the picture as a guide, arrange Recipe courtesy of Australian Eggs.

24 TODAY November 2023

· 1 leek, thinly sliced · 2 garlic cloves, crushed · 3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs, to serve · 1½ sheets shortcrust pastry, just thawed · 1½ sheets puff pastry, just thawed · 10 eggs · 200g grape tomatoes, halved pastry strips to create a lattice pattern. 5. Add pumpkin mixture to pastry case. Make slight indentations in the mixture and crack in 9 of the eggs, being careful not to break yolks. Add tomatoes. 6. Beat remaining egg. Brush a little egg around edge of pie. Top with the lattice pastry and trim pastry to fit. Brush pastry with egg. Bake for 30 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is set. Sprinkle with extra thyme sprigs. TIPS: This pie is delicious served with a tomato chutney and a green salad.

Monthly market report brought to you by Herefords Australia. 12535648-BL08-22

Cattle and Sheep Report Cattle Physical Report Report Date: 18/10/2023 Saleyard: Dalby Interim report. The number of cattle penned at Dalby increased over 1,000 head to 3,550. A small sample from South Australia was included in the lineup along with 129 head from New South Wales and 763 from far Western Queensland plus 2,645 from the local supply area. A fair panel of buyers was present however some were absent and others returned to the buying gallery. Prices at the time of this interim report have varied with yearling steers to feed firm to marginally better. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed were cheaper and heavy weights experienced some improvement. Cows also varied in price with medium weights 5c/kg less and heavy weights a few cents either way of the previous week. Medium weight yearling steers to feed made to 234c to average 225c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed averaged 222c and made to 236c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed made to 206c and averaged 164c/kg. Good condition heavy weight yearling heifers made to 230c and the plainer classes averaged 186c and made to 200c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows made to 122c to average 120c/kg. Heavy weight 3 scores averaged 153c and the best of the cows averaged 174c and made to 181c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 222c/kg. Market Reporter, Trevor Hess Report Date: 12/10/2023 Saleyard: Emerald The yarding at Emerald sale decreased by 112 head to 862 head with cattle drawn from local areas mostly but from as far away as Collinsville. Quality and condition were mixed, as in most selling centres now, as the season declines. Competition came from some of the regular processors and feeders - somewhat limited by numbers. Restocker interest came mostly from local buyers with values varying relative to the quality on offer. Light weight yearling steers sold to a top of 275c/kg to average 211c to 253c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers topped at 199c/kg, returning averages from 171c to 196c/kg to restockers and backgrounders. Grown steers mostly sold to restockers to average 184c to 230c/kg with a few to feed making 214c/kg average. Processors purchased a small number of grown steers from 172c to 211c/kg. Trade weight grown heifers sold from 173c to 212c/kg. Heavy, four score cows eased slightly to average 171c/kg. Heavy processor bulls averaged 221c/kg whilst Livex bulls averaged 205c/kg. Cows and calves sold from $610 to $760 per unit. Reporter: Richard Thomson Report Date: 18/10/2023 Saleyard: Lismore There was a increased yarding of 1,060 head

Light weight yearling heifers under 200kg made to 162c and averaged 158c/kg. Yearling heifers 200 to 280kg returning to the paddock topped at 200c/kg. Yearling heifers 280 to 330kg also topped at 200c and averaged 164c/ kg. Yearling heifers 330 to 400kg averaged 152c made to 180c and the 400 to 480kg averaged 166c with the 480kg making to 178c/kg. Grown steers 500 to 600kg made to 224c with the bullocks making to 228c/kg. The 2 score cows made to 160c to average 136c/kg and the 3 score cows topping at 180c to average 163c/kg.Best of the heavy weight bulls to 226c/kg. Market Reporter. David Friend

Report Date: 10/10/2023 Saleyard: Warwick The supply of stock reduced by 342 head to 685 at Warwick. The yarding contained excellent lines of well finished cattle suited to the wholesale and processor market which saw prices lift across these classes by 11c to 23c/ kg and more in places. Quality restocker and feeder yearling steers also sold to dearer trends however the D muscle lines of steers and heifers still only received very little competition from the buying panel. Yearling steers in the 200-280kg range to restockers made 230c to average 206c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged 222c and sold to 286c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed made 248c to average 227c/kg with those to the wholesale meat trade at 240c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers to restockers made 172c to average 161c with the lesser quality lines at 102c to 140c and plain conditioned lines at 62c to 110c/kg. Yearling heifers over 280kg to feed made 150c to average 144c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed for the domestic market made 186c to average 161c/ kg. High yielding heavy yearling heifers to the wholesale meat trade made 374c to average 295c/kg. Well finished grown steers to processors made 244c to average 227c/kg. Grown heifers to processors averaged 214c and sold to 219c/ kg. Light weight plain conditioned cows to restockers sold from 40c to 90c/kg. Good heavy cows to processors made 191c to average 180c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors averaged 176c and sold to 180c/kg. Market Reporter Errol Luck

Report Date: 09/10/2023 Saleyard: Toowoomba With no sale for two weeks the supply of stock at Toowoomba lifted to 507 head and included in the lineup were 56 head sold open auction and 29 cows and calves. Apart from a few pens of good condition cows the overall standard of the remainder of the yarding was very mixed. A fair panel of buyers was present and operating very selectively. Prices generally could not maintain the levels of two weeks ago and reduced in line with other selling centres. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to 190c to average 152c/kg. Yearling steers under 330kg to restockers made to 208c to average 178c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 171c to 190c and made to 218c with some to restockers at 226c/kg. A small selection of heavy weight yearling steers to feed made to 172c/kg. Yearling heifers to restockers under 200kg made to 122c and some heavier classes made to 124c to average 121c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed made to 156c and averaged from 94c to 137c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows made to 92c to average 84c/kg. A couple of good heavy weight cows made to 166c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 168c/kg. Cows and calves made to $900/unit. Market Reporter, Trevor Hess

Sheep Physical Report Report Date: 11/10/2023 Saleyard: Warwick Warwick agents penned 1,269 lambs and 286 grown sheep. The overall quality of the yarding was good with lines of lambs to suit the trade and processor buyers also the restockers and feeder operators. The market remained firm for most classes and any price variations was quality related. The exception was heavy hoggets which lifted by $6/head. Light weight new season lambs to restockers made $50 to average $32/head. New season lambs to the wholesale meat trade sold to $88/ head. Light weight lambs to feeder buyers sold to $75 and averaged $69/head. A line of merino lambs with skin sold to restockers at $40 to average $38/head. Light trade lambs sold to $96 and averaged $85/head. Heavy lambs to the wholesale meat trade averaged $80 and sold to $90 with heavy lambs to processors at $94/head. Merino hoggets to restockers sold to $34/ head. Heavy hoggets to processors made $67 to average $54 with the ewe portion to restockers at $80/head. Light weight dorper ewes to restockers made $5/head. Heavy ewes to processors sold from $42 to $56/head. Ram lambs to restockers sold to $50/head. Rams to processors sold to $32/head. Market Reporter Errol Luck

GDL Roma Agent & Auctioneer, Geoff Maslen. comprising of a good supply of young cattle and cows. The yarding of young cattle consisted mainly of vealers and weaners, along with a few pens of light yearlings. Quality was fairly plain with the exception of an odd line of well finished and well bred steers and heifers. There was a large percentage of young cattle showing the affects of the dry conditions. Buyer participation was limited which resulted in cheaper prices again this week. Restocker weaner steers were slightly easier for the better quality steers, however most were 10c easier and more in places, most sold from 130c to 220ckg. Restocker weaner heifers were down by 20c and more in places mainly for the light plain conditioned heifers. Sales ranged from 110c to 198c/kg. The few yearling steers sold to 216c/kg. The yarding of export cattle consisted mainly of cows. Quality was very mixed in a cheaper market with most cows selling 10c to 15c easier. Light 2 score cows ranged from 70c to 138c and 3 score medium weights averaged 132c while 4 score cows sold from 140c to 162c/kg. Report compiled by Doug Robson Report Date: 17/10/2023 Saleyard: Roma With the continuing dry weather Roma Agents yarded 3,659 head an increase of 1,000 on last sale. Cattle were drawn from NSW the local supply area and far Western Queensland. It was noticeable that buyer attendance was not as strong on cows and bullocks and heavy feeders but yearling steers and heifers held their value. Light weight steers under 200kg returning to the paddock made to 276c to average 248c with the 200 to 280kg averaging 245c topping at 284c/kg. Yearling steers 280 to 330kg weight range made to 248c to average 228c/kg. Yearling steers 330 to 400kg to feed topped at 238c and averaged 228c/kg. Yearling steers 400 to 480kg to feed averaged 211c topping at 236c/ kg.

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Huge payday in Rocky By Breanna Lloyd The annual Rockhampton Brahman Week Bull Sale was a huge payday for vendors as the top-priced bull went for $120,000. The three-day sale took place at CQLX Gracemere from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 October with 931 lots of red and grey Brahman bulls. Days one and two auctioned off 487 lots of grey Brahman bulls with 444 lots of red Brahmans auctioned on days two and three. Day one saw a top price of $70,000 from Eureka Creek Brahmans for 25-month-old grey Eureka Creek Marindi (lot eight) to Kenilworth Brahmans from Mt Coolon. Not far behind was Neville and Shannon Sommerfeild sold 24-month-old Brahrock N Bradford (lot 149) for $65,000 to Nobbs Cattle Co, Duringa. The sale day averaged $9460.63 with a gross of $2,403,000 and a 94 per cent clearance. A top price of $90,000 was spent on day two for WR and K Geddes 33-month-old Doonside 2794 grey Brahman bull (lot 480) to Eulogie from Dululu. The overall sale day averaged $9836 with a gross of $2,459,000, with a clearance of 90 per cent. Day three results topped the sale selling for $120,000 for 23-month-old Tarramba True North from Gunthorpe Cattle Co to Reedy Brooke B Brahmans. Day three sale day averaged at $12,004.10 with a gross of $2,929,000 and a clearance of 87 per cent. GDL agents Georgie Connor and Simon Kinbacher shared their thoughts with CQLX. “Today we finished selling the greys, which came back with a really strong clearance of 90 per cent,” Georgie said.

Picture: CQLX “It was a really special day today, and it was late in the day when we saw the top-priced bull lot 480.”

“After lunch, we started on the reds, and we offered 130 and sold 109,” Simon added. “Overall it was a very solid afternoon with

the reds I thought, making 10 to 30,000 and there were also some really good bulls making four to six thousand as well.”

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SPORT QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Winner of the Royal Hotel Women’s Outback Duel – North Shore Rowing Club, Sydney.

Winners of the Upscale Carbon Outback Gift (Mixed Outback Duel) was the composite crew from Toowong, Tablelands, The Southport School, Dragons and Townsville JCU Rowing Clubs.

Outback rowing success By Fiona Gowers Rowing clubs from across Australia - more than 20 - competed fiercely at the 2023 Bentley’s Australian Outback Rowing Regatta in Barcaldine and Longreach on 16-17 September. In all, 11 crews of eight represented diverse clubs, firstly on Barcaldine’s new Artesian Lake before heading to Longreach for the seven kilometre Head of the Outback on Thomson River. Reflecting the sport’s inclusivity, rowers from Sydney clubs North Shore and Mosman joined competitors from Townsville, Rockhampton, Brisbane, Canberra and Cunnamulla. Indeed, even an English rower from Derbyshire, England, proudly wore the Burton Leander club colours. Toby Ford of Outback Rowing Australia (ORA) said The 2023 Bentley’s Australian Head of the Outback had been a “resounding success”. “We celebrated the spirit of rowing, community inclusion and sportsmanship,” he said. “The event demonstrated the resilience and passion of rowers from diverse backgrounds and regions, highlighting the enduring appeal of this beloved sport and the desire to host such a sport in rural areas. “(It) showcased exceptional athleticism, camaraderie and determination, all in the heart of central Queensland.” The regatta program in Barcaldine featured sprint racing over 750 metres, using handicapped starts based on time trials from the Outback Duel to ensure a level playing field for all crews. Captivated spectators watching from the Barcaldine Rec Park clubhouse saw thrilling races, often ending in canvas and bow ball finishes. Between races, many former competitors from past regattas reconnected and shared fond memories. Longreach rower George Milroy won the Barcaldine’s Outback Gift race in four seat of a composite crew from across Queensland.

River City Women’s Eight on the Banks of the Barcaldine Rec Park.

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“The race witnessed an impressive display of skill,” ORA secretary and former CEO at Rowing Queensland Murray Stewart said. “And, the crew overcame fierce competition to claim the coveted prize.“ Longreach then hosted the Head of the Outback. With a running start, crews raced upstream for 3.5km before making a speedy turnaround at the spectators’ ferry, followed by a sprint to the finish.

North Shore Rowing Club won the Masters Women’s, while the Rockhampton Fitzroy/ Tablelands and Riverway clubs’ composite crew were the Masters Mixed Champions. In a heart-warming display of support for regional rowers, event organisers implemented an orphan nomination program. This unique initiative allowed individual rowers scattered across inland Australia to participate, creating composite crews that provided everyone with a chance to row competitively.

The unique rules of slower boats yielding to faster crews led to exciting sprint rowing and strategic coxswain maneuvering. Although some clashes occurred during the race, race official Greg Smith reported no harm done and praised the sportsmanship displayed by all. The Viking Rowing Club eight, with Barcaldine local David Counsell in seven seat, ultimately emerged victorious in the Master’s Men’s eight.

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